Huawei seems to continue using TSMC chips despite U.S. sanctions.
Huawei may be attempting to bypass U.S. sanctions by using unauthorized chips in one of its high-end products.
A Canadian research firm, TechInsights, conducted a thorough analysis of one of Huawei's artificial intelligence accelerators and discovered a chip manufactured by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC). According to information obtained, several anonymous sources indicated that TechInsights' investigation identified a TSMC Ascend 910B chip in one of Huawei's AI accelerators. The company that carried out the research has chosen not to comment on the matter.
It has been reported that TechInsights communicated its findings to TSMC before the publication of its report, which led TSMC to inform the U.S. Department of Commerce earlier this month. According to several insiders, TSMC mentioned that a client had placed orders for a chip similar to Huawei's Ascend 910B. One of the consulted sources stated that TSMC "had spoken with both the customer and the Department of Commerce" after receiving the suspicious order.
The U.S. Department of Commerce has implemented additional trade restrictions against Huawei, preventing the electronics company from obtaining chips produced by foreign companies. Earlier this year, the U.S. government further intensified these restrictions by revoking licenses that allowed Intel and Qualcomm to manufacture chips for Huawei's devices.
TSMC has denied having an active business relationship with Huawei since mid-September 2020, according to statements provided to the Department of Commerce. Furthermore, TSMC stated that it has not produced chips for Huawei due to the amended restrictions. For its part, Huawei has denied that it has "released the 910B chip."
This is not the first incident in which Huawei has been caught attempting to circumvent U.S. sanctions and trade restrictions. In May, it was discovered that Huawei had funded covert research at U.S. universities, including Harvard, channeling the money through the scientific research foundation Optica. The foundation decided to return the money in June, and CEOs Elizabeth Rogen and Chad Stark resigned the following August.
